McVote his way, boss tells workers

A handful of McDonald's employees in northeastern Ohio received handbills in their most-recent paychecks suggesting that they vote for three Republican candidates.

A handful of McDonald's employees in northeastern Ohio received handbills in their most-recent paychecks suggesting that they vote for three Republican candidates.

The fast-food chain's corporate headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill., quickly condemned the action by Canton franchisee Paul Siegfried, saying it violated company policy. Allen Schulman, an attorney representing one of the employees, said yesterday that he had forwarded the paycheck insert to Canton's city law director, citing state and federal laws against corporate advocacy in elections.

"It's no surprise to anyone that Ohio is a battleground state in this election, and for a multinational corporation like McDonald's to threaten employees like this is morally and legally wrong," Schulman said in a statement.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, the Democratic elections chief, said she was launching an investigation.

Siegfried issued an apology later yesterday, emphasizing the value he places on employees and their freedom of choice in the upcoming election.

"Distributing this communication was an error of judgment on my part," he said in a statement. "Please know, it was never my intention to offend anyone. For those that I have offended, I sincerely apologize."

The handbill with a simple McDonald's logo at the top recommended votes for Republicans John Kasich for governor, Rob Portman for U.S. Senate, and Jim Renacci for Ohio's 16th Congressional District. A Renacci campaign flier also was included.

"If the right people are elected we will be able to continue with raises and benefits at or above our present levels," the insert said. "If others are elected we will not."

Shirley Rogers Reece, general manager for the company's Ohio region, said McDonald's had no knowledge that the handbill was being distributed.

"We wholeheartedly respect diverse views and opinions, and our employees' right to vote," she said in a statement. "Our position is that every employee should make his or her own choice."

Shulman told city Law Director Joe Martuccio that the letter was "clearly designed to intimidate, threaten and coerce a captive group of employees to vote for specific candidates at the risk of their jobs, their raises, and their benefits."

He called it "particularly egregious that in this time of harsh economic conditions, a corporation would stoop to this level of voter intimidation."

In her statement, Reece said that McDonald's did not endorse any of the candidates mentioned in the handbill.

"While clearly this was poor judgment, we don't believe it was intended to offend anyone," Reece said.

Brunner said the action appeared to violate Ohio election law and would be probed by her office with findings handed off to the state attorney general.

"Voter intimidation is a form of voter fraud. It is a serious offense requiring a strong response," she said in a statement.

She also issued an overall warning to the state: "The election is just four days away. All involved would be best to play fair, fight hard for what they believe in and work together for all Ohioans and our country in this democratic process not enjoyed in countries elsewhere."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.